Mali Crisis: FG Condemns Coup, Calls For Constitutional Order

Nigeria on Wednesday condemned the coup that ousted the government of Mali, a neighbouring West African country.

Recall that Prime Minister, Boubou Cissé and the President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, were on Tuesday, detained by soldiers, who engaged in a mutiny.

The leaders, under pressure, resigned their positions and dissolved the parliament.

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Commission had in the past weeks called for a government of national unity to be formed in Mali.

But, based on the latest development, ECOWAS said it take actions against Mali, including imposing sanctions.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, frowned on the actions of the soldiers on Wednesday, on behalf of the Federal Government.

He also backed ECOWAS stiff measures against the perpetrators.

“The Nigerian Government unequivocally condemns the the coup d’état that took place in #Mali yesterday and demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order.

“We welcome the urgent activation of the #ECOWAS Standby force,” he tweeted on Wednesday.

The ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) is a standby arrangement consisting of military, police and civilian components, with the goal of providing regional peace and security.

The Nigerian Government unequivocally condemns the the coup d'état that took place in #Mali yesterday and demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order. We welcome the urgent activation of the #ECOWAS Standby force. @NigeriaGov @ecowas_cedeao

— Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) August 19, 2020

Also, the soldiers on Wednesday, said they would let civil groups conduct fresh elections, according to Reuters.